Ashbourne motorists urged to belt up and switch off

50 motorists have been given a stark reminder to buckle up their seatbelts and switch off their mobile phones following a road safety operation in Ashbourne.

Officers from the Ashbourne Safer Neighbourhood Team joined forces with CREST (Casualty Reduction and Enforcement Support Team), staff from VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) and HM Revenue and Customs to carry out an action day to target unsafe driving.

The checks were carried out on Tuesday, April 14 at King Edwards Street, Ashbourne as part of the countywide Operation Safedrive campaign.

A mixture of fixed penalty notices and warnings were given to 33 people not wearing their seatbelt and 17 drivers for using their mobile phone while driving.

Other offences included:

One motorist was stopped after they were found to be driving without a valid licence;

One vehicle was found to be on the road without a valid MOT;

Two vehicles with lighting defects;

Two vehicles were found to have problems with their registration plates;

Two vehicles with defective tyres;

Two vehicles were stopped for excess weight offences.

In addition, six drivers whose vehicles had defects which seriously affected their roadworthiness were issued with prohibitions to stop them from going onto a public highway.

Sergeant Andy Wordsworth from the Ashbourne Safer Neighbourhood Team said: "The aim behind the operation was to remind motorists of their responsibilities behind the wheel, which include making sure their vehicles are roadworthy, and that they are driving safely and legally.

"It was really concerning to see the number of people that failed to wear a seatbelt or who were using their mobile phone at the wheel.

"Looking at a mobile phone screen, even for a short amount of time, takes your attention off the road in front of you. By doing so, motorists are not only putting their own lives at risk but also the lives of their passengers and other road users.

"We will continue to work alongside our partners to carry out Operation Safedrive events in the community to make the roads safer for all."

Operation Safedrive is an on-going Derbyshire police campaign to educate motorists about responsible driving and make roads across the county safer.

To find out more about the initiative or to speak to your local Safer Neighbourhood team call 101, and follow them on Twitter: @AshbourneSNT